EVERYTHING IS A SCHEME

Evelyn's POV

My blood?

My hands flew to my mouth in shock, trying to muffle the sound threatening to escape me.

I know that voice too well.

That was Lucas's voice. Although it was different—cold, thick with disdain as if the mere mention of my name made his skin crawl.

“I understand.“ That was Lyla voice. She was my best friend, right from college.

How? How can they be together?

They are like oil and water that can't mix together no matter what. They didn't see eye to eye because Lucas thought that Lyla is spoilt and arrogant. He tells me about how he wouldn't have married her even if she was the last she-wolf on earth.

She continued. “I know you need her blood to break the curse. But how long would I continue to wait? Share my man with that lowly Omega?“

Lowly Omega? Me? Lyla and I were like sisters for heaven's sake.

“The priestess said she would get her wolf soon…. so let's wait,” Lucas cajoled her. “Spending time with her is difficult for me too. I mean, you're my mate and I should be with you at all time.“

Lucas and Lyla are fated mates?

Then it fell silent.

I stood there, frozen. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I listen to the man I have loved all my life slander me. His words from this morning echoed through my mind.

My chest tightened as I  contemplated if it was necessary for me to go in or not after everything i have heard. I didn't realise when I let out a choked sob.

“Who is there?“ Lyla asked.

Still standing there, I started panicking. They can't know I'm here. My eyes darted across the hallway, looking for any hiding place but there was none.

“Evelyn?“ Lucas said. “Come to think of it, I could smell her scent.“ He started walking towards the door.

I ran towards the exit, but before I could escape Lucas sharp voice cut through the air behind me.

“Evelyn!“

I looked back briefly. My eyes met his cold, distant eyes. For a moment, he looked like a stranger.

I didn't wait. I ran through the stairs, out of the hotel. I didn't know where I was going. I had no where else to go but I needed to get away. From all of it.

I didn't take the car; I won't be able to drive. Still gasping for breath with tears and mucus sliding down my cheeks, I walked through the dark, empty highway.

And it was until I got to the Howler’s Arch bridge that I realised how long had walked.

This bridge held a lot of good memories—this was where I met Lucas for the first time. I didn't even know he was the Alpha since i was always indoors. Then he brought me back here three months later to propose to me.

I sat at the edge of a brick, staring at nothingness.

Come to think of it, I have always wondered why he married me out of the countless beautiful and powerful she-wolves in the country. I have always thought that everything happened too fast. We barely dated before he proposed. And I have been so stupid to accept because I was too desperate to escape from Elara's maltreatment. I was too eager to love and be loved.

Was that too much to ask for?

But….. I thought he loved me? Was any of it real? Or was I just a tool in their scheme all along?

I had even forgotten that I had my phone with me until it beeped. I glance at it and it was a call from Lucas.

I didn't answer it.

He called again. Still I couldn't bring myself to answer it. I didn't know how to react.

Then he sent a message.

'Where are you, Evelyn? Let me come over and explain everything to you.'

Explain what exactly? I have heard enough, haven't I?

But then a part of my heart that still loves him and wished that everything was a lie, pushed me to type back a reply.

'I'm at the bridge—where we first met.'

I buried my head between my thighs, trying hard to stop my tears.

Minutes later, I heard the sound of a car screeching to a halt in front of me. I raised my head and it was Lucas Benz.

The front doors flung open. Lucas stepped out from the driver's seat. Followed by Lyla from the passenger's seat.

I sprang up with barely twisted rage coursing through me. They even have the gut to show up here together?

Lyla smirked devilishly, triumphantly like she was enjoying every bit of my devastation.

Lucas didn't have an expression that showed that he was remorseful. “You heard everything, didn't you?“ He asked, his voice nonchalant like he was merely ordering a coffee.

I took a step forward, clenching my fists. “You bastard!“ I growled. “I loved you. I trusted you. I thought you loved…. but it was because you needed to blood to break some curse.“

“Don't blame Lucas, bestie. You're just so stupid enough to believe that a man like him would really have any love interest in you,” she sneered. “Quit dreaming.“

I opened my mouth to talk but no words came out. Yes, I accept. I'm stupid.

“Haven't you wondered why I didn't mark you?“ he suddenly asked.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat.  “You didn't mark me because you think I might be too weak to withstand your mark,” I simply said.

He scoffed like I was a joke he didn't get. “You're so foolish to believe that, Evelyn,” he sneered, his face twisted in disgust. “I didn't mark you so you won't be able to have any connection with me. You won't even feel anything even if I'm making love to Layla.“

True. That explain why he was able to cheat right under my nose. I have always thought he didn't mark me because he cares about me.

I pressed my lips together before I asked the one question that is on my mind. “Have you…. ever loved me at all?“ I asked, my voice breaking with pain. “In our three years together… did you ever feel something for me.“

“No!“ He snapped without thinking twice. “Never!“ He said like it was an abomination.

I had already anticipated his answer, but it still cuts deeper than I cared to admit.

He continued. “In my lineage, we are cursed to die before the age of fourty. So I was told your rare bloodline would heal the curse.“

Then he stepped closer. “Now…. You would act stupid one last time by following me to the palace. I will frame you for a crime, so I can keep you in the dungeon until the day you get your wolf and perform the cleansing ritual.“

My heart raced. “I'm going nowhere,” I spat.

Laughter erupted from them—the sound was sharp and mocking—cutting through the quiet night.

“It's not up for a debate, Evie.“

That nickname used to melt me. Now it makes my skin craw. I took a shaky step backward, trying to get away.

Before I could process it, Lucas closed the distance between us and grabbed my wrist.

“Let go of me!” I snapped, yanking back, my feet skidding on the stone beneath me.

We were still on Howler’s Arch Bridge, and the edge was too close—one wrong step and I’d be gone.

“I said let go!” I twisted, nails digging into his arm, my heart pounding.

His grip only tightened. “Stop fighting, Evie. You’re coming with us.”

“No, I’m not!” My voice cracked. “You’ve taken everything already!”

Behind him, Lyla folded her arms and smiled like she was watching a show. “You always were dramatic.”

Lucas yanked me forward again. My heel caught the uneven edge of the bridge.

I staggered backward.

There was nothing behind me. Just air.

I saw his face—the same one that had kissed me that morning—twist with cold indifference.

Lyla didn’t move. She only smirked.

And then I fell.

Wind howled around me as the world dropped out from under my feet. The sky spun above me, stars blinking like distant eyes.

And then I saw them—jagged rocks waiting below. Sharp. Merciless.

My body hit it with a brutal force.

Pain. Darkness. Nothing.